Ten games into her freshman season at Boston University, Jayme Mask tore the labrum in her right (throwing) shoulder and spent the rest of the year watching from the bench.

Coming from Grafton High, where she was an all-star catcher and never missed a start in four years, taking a redshirt while recovering from surgery wasn't easy.

It was, however, one of the most valuable experiences she ever had.

"I learned so much my freshman year," Mask said. "It just jump-started my whole career. As a freshman, you don't know what you're doing — you're winging it. Taking that year and witnessing what goes into being a college athlete, it was really eye-opening. I definitely put what I learned into my next years."

Mask, a fifth-year senior who turned 23 Tuesday, has gone on to have an incredible career at BU.

She ranks in the top 10 in seven all-time BU categories, including first in stolen bases (107) and second in batting average (.381).

The 2013 America East Conference Player of the Year, Mask quickly has established herself as one of the best players in BU's new digs, the Patriot League. She's in the top 10 in nine offensive categories. She leads the PL in hits (47) and runs (28), and is second in batting average (.427) and stolen bases (18).

After announcing its move to the PL, Boston University was not eligible for the America East postseason in 2013. The Terriers (19-14, 4-2) currently are vying for the top seed in the Patriot League. They're in second place behind preseason favorite Lehigh. BU took two of three from the Mountain Hawks last weekend, marking the first time Lehigh has lost a league series since 2011.

"It's actually really awesome," Mask said. "Being in a new conference and being able to compete has made us so much more appreciative of what we have. This is the best team I've ever played on chemistry-wise, athletic ability-wise. We're taking every game as an opportunity to get better and show this new league what Boston softball is all about."

At Grafton, Mask was a T&G Super Team selection as a senior, and she and Indians ace Amanda Massad formed one of the best batteries in Central Mass. During her collegiate career, Mask has played mostly in the outfield — she has started 30 games in right this season — while serving as a backup catcher.

BU plays a three-game series at Holy Cross this weekend, which will be a treat for Mask and her family. Her parents, James and Alice, make all her games, but this weekend they won't have to stay in a hotel. Mask also will get to see her sister, Sara, and her husband, and, as a new aunt, Mask is especially excited to see her 3-month-old nephew, William. The family will celebrate Mask's birthday this weekend.

"It will be like a home away game," Mask said.

Mask was a three-time All-America East selection, has been involved with many volunteer projects as a member of BU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and with a 3.5 GPA has earned numerous academic accolades. She completed her bachelor's degree in biology in December, and will graduate with a second degree, in psychology, next month.

In the fall, she will attend graduate school at UMass-Boston and pursue her master's in school counseling. She would like to become a high school guidance counselor or academic adviser for a sports team — "Something to help student-athletes like my guidance counselor helped me," Mask said.

Mask was a candidate for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to an NCAA Division 1 senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence — community, classroom, character and competition.

Mask has made her mark in all of them.

"Being at BU is something I never would have been able to do without softball," Mask said. "While I'm here, I'm just trying to make the best of it and do everything I can while I'm here because in a couple months, I'll be a real person and I won't have all these amazing resources and people around me to show me the way.

"In my years here, I tried to make as big an impact as possible. I want to leave here and have people know who I was. Leading the way for other student-athletes who come in behind me was really important."

Giving back to kids

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays this semester, two to three members of Worcester State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee walk across the street to Chandler Elementary School and conduct 40-minute physical education classes with eager and very enthusiastic third-graders.

"It just goes to show you doing something so simple can mean so much to someone," said Jack Sprague, a member of SAAC and a junior wide receiver on the football team.

Worcester State's SAAC, which has about 40 members, has been active on campus and in the community. Past projects have included volunteering with the Special Olympics and at Sherry's House.

At Chandler Elementary, Worcester State student-athletes are teaching kids about teamwork and leadership.

"It's a fun experience," said sophomore Krissy Kenney, co-vice president of SAAC and a forward/midfielder on the field hockey team. "The kids are so excited. They ask so many questions. They want to know what sport you play, what you are studying. It's good exposure for them."

Worcester State student-athletes begin each phys ed session with a stretch and warm-up jog, then break the kids into smaller groups for games of basketball or soccer.

"You can tell as soon as they walk in — their eyes light up, they love seeing older kids," Sprague said. "As a kid growing up, I always looked up to older kids. It's great to give back what you've learned. Doing something like this means so much to them, and it's good for us, too."

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